Oscillating railway switch



May 23, 1950 F. w. oRENDoRr-'F 2,508,417

OSCILLATING RAILWAY SWITCH Filed Feb. 14, 1947 2 She'etS-Sheet 1 ATTCI RN EYS May 23, 1950 F. w. oRE'NDoRx-'F 2,508,417

oscILLATING RAILWAY swITH Filed Feb. 14, l194:/ 2 sheets-sheet 2 QW (D I l I N VEN TOR.

ATTE] R N EYS Patented May 23, 1950 U N I TED S TAT ES PATENT OFF ICE 62,508.41; `oscILLArING RAILWAY SWITCH Francis W. Orendorff, Misso'lilam` Mont. y"Application `February 14, A`^1=9`i'7,1Ser-ial `1Y0-728,485

(oatmeal) I .1. Claim- -1 The present invention relates generally to railway switches, and more specifically to an improved oscillating railway switch of -therolling pin type for turning out fromvthe main railway line and entering asiding. The primary object of the invention is the provision of a, switch structureincluding a pair of switch rails adapted to foscillate on their longitudinal'axis, and in oppofs'ite directions, together with "operating means j"therefor, Pto-assure alsafe and reliable switch structure that is `operable Afrom laI switch stand of 'the.ground-throw type. .Theswitch structure is simple in construction and operation, and of the self-cleaning type in that it prevents accumulation of snow and dust, between the switch members and the track rails, and maintains the switch structure in working condition.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be described and more specifically set forth in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a complete physical embodiment of my invention in which the parts are combined and arranged according to one mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. It will however be understood that changes and alterations are contemplated and may be made in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures, within the scope of my claim without departing from the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the switch structure for a turnout switch, shown as normally closed.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view at line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a, plan view of the switch according to my invention, set in open position for entrance from the main line.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view at line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a similar view at line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view at line 6 6 of Fig. 1; and Figure 7 is a similar view at line 'I-T of Fig. l.

Figures 8 and 9 are detail views of the opposed switch rails.

In order that the general arrangement and utility of parts may readily be understood, I have shown in Figs. 1 and 3 a standard track with main line rails I and 2 supported upon the cross ties 3 as usual, and in addition the curved or turnout portions 4 and 5 of a siding or side track are illustrated. The switch parts are equipped with the mechanism of my invention, and of course the "In carrying out my invention yIiemploy two 'Jew-itch rails iB- and TI; of suitable 'length andsgener- Vally #of ysolidv cylindrical shape,4 supported at" -the inner sidesfof'fthetwo main track sections 'off-rails forfsimultaneous'oscillation or partial turning on 'their'frespective-"longitudinal-axesgin thelsarne direction for the closing of the switch andfinfnpaposite directiont'for the opening lof the switch.

The switch bars normally lie parallel with the main line rails and depressed below the heads of the main line rails out of the way of the wheels of the rolling stock; and each switch rail is fashioned with a flat normally upper face and longitudinally extending flanges or tongues 9 and I0 of the respective rails. The ange or tongue 9 of rail 6 in Fig. 1 where the switch is closed, is turned to inoperative position, while the flange or tongue I D of the switchrail 'I forms a continuation of the main line track.

In Fig. 3 where the switch is open, the ange or tongue 9 of the switch rail is alined with the siding rail 4, and the flange Ill of the rail 'I is turned away leaving the main line rail 2 and siding rail 5 alined for passage of the rolling stock.

At its far or outer end each of the switch rails is fashioned with a lpreferably integral trunnion or axis pin I I and these trunnions are swiveled in bearing brackets I2 and I3 that are bolted to the webs of the respective main line rails I and 2, and they project laterally toward the center of the track.

On the ends of the switch rails located at the entrance to the switch they are equipped with trunnions or swivel pins I4, I4 journaled to turn in bearing bores that extend transversely through a cross beam I5 that extends across the track and is rigidly bolted at its ends to the inner faces of the webs of the main line rails I and 2 that are drilled for this purpose.

Between the cylindrical bodies of the switch rails and their trunnions I4 they are fashioned with cylindrical Winding and unwinding spindles I6, and a pair of springs ll and I8 are coiled about a portion of the spindles. These spiral springs Il and i8 each has one end anchored to a spincile and its other end anchored to the cross beam I5, so that the switch rails on their longitudinal axes in the same and in opposite directions, to reset and restore the switch to closed position.

The switch rails are oppositely oscillated against tension of the springs, to throw open the normally closed switch preferably from a switch stand of the ground throw type to which an operating rod i9 in Fig. 3 is connected, and the rod is pivoted at 20 to a pivot plate 2| of the bell crank lever type that is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis 22 alongside and exterior of the track rails.

At 23 one arm of the bell crank lever is pivoted with a slotted connection to a vtransversely arranged slide bar 24 that is mounted to slide under one of the rails and between the rails of the track in spaced bearings or brackets 25 that are with my drawings it will be apparent that when the /switchlever is thrown -the coiled portions of'the'chainvv turn the switch rails in the same direction to open the switch, and it is then securedin open position for entry oi` rolling stock to thesiding. Afterwards, ofcourse the switch f bars are rolled back to closed position, the switch rails are turned in the opposite direction and the switch arm or lever is locked as usual.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

VIna railway switch, the combination with a anchored to a spindle and to said cross bar for turning the switch bars in opposite directions, an endless chain having coils about said spindle, a slide bar mounted on the cross beam and forming a long link of the chain, and means for shifting the slide bar transversely of the track to open the switch. Y

FRANCIS W. ORENDORFF.

EEFEEENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe leV of this pa-tent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 388,135 Hoyt Aug. 21,*1888 569,034 Sturgis Oct. 6, 1896 959,421 Bayusz et al May 24,1910

1,006,717 Brown Oct. 24, 1911 1,029,200 Lance June 11, 1912 

